Watchman&#39;s recording-clock.



APPLICATONFILEDSEPT.20,19H).

Patented J une 26, 1917.

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

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l. A. HERRMANN.

WATCHMANS RECOHMNG CLOCK.

APPLICATION FILED SEP?. 20,1915.

1,231,356. Patented June 25,1%?.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

ISAAC A. HERRMANN, OF ELYRIA, OHIO.

WATCHMANS RECORDING-CLOCK.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June y26, 1917.

Application led September 20; 1915. Serial No. 51,545.

T0 cZZ whom t may concern:

Bc it known that I. Isaac A. Hannan-WN; a citizen of the United States. residing at Elyria. in the county of Lorain and State of Ohio, have invented a certainnew and useful Improvement in lllatchmens Recording-Clocks7 of which the following` is a full, clear; and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to recording clocks and particularly to the kind of clocks used bv nightwatchmen and patrolmen to enable them to record with certainty and accuracy the fact of 'their being at their post of duty at a given time but to prevent either them or anyv one else from going over the record at any time and filling in blanks, or from opening the device and obtaining access to any part thereof without leaving a record of the same. subsidiary object of the invention is the provision of means for preventing the making of a record excepting during that portion of the day during which the watchman is on duty and from preventing any days record from becoming exposed until that day has arrived. Other objects of the invention relate to the construction whereby a simple; economical and reliable device is produced. while additional objects and advantages will become apparent as the description proceeds.

Generally speaking my invention may be defined as consistingl of the combinations and constructions recited in the claims annexed hereto and illustrated in one embodiment in the drawings accompanying and forming a part of this application, wherein Figure 1 is a front elevational view of the complete device in operating condition, the full lines showing the shield swung aside to permit the making of a record and the dotted lines showing the shield closed and locked in place; Fig. Q is a view drawn to enlarged scale showing my improved recording clock with the cover thrown wide open to disclose the interior construction; Fig. 3 is a cross sectional view taken immediately inside the closed cover of the casing, a portion of the rotatable shield being broken away; Fig. 4 is a view of the device with the record sheet removed and the cover swung half open so as to disclose its edge view; Fig. is a detail view taken upon the line 5-5 of Fig. 3 showing the lock in securing position; Fig. G is a detail view of the lock viewed from the opposite direction from that shown in Fig. 5, the lock being' shown in released position; Fig. 7 is a view similar to Fig. G showing the lock in intermediate position; Fig'. 8 is a detail view showing the method of securing the record sheet in place and for adjusting the shield moving member; and Fig. 9 is a perspective view of one form of recording tool.

Describing the parts by reference characters. 1 indicates a metal casing preferably of cylindrical shape and adapted to be secured against a` wall or other convenient location in any suitable way as by interior screws 3 indicates aY circular cover hinged to said casing in any suitable manner as by the lugs -t-t and preferably having an overhanging rim 5 closely surrounding the casing. Carried by the interior of the cover at a point removed from the hinge is a locking post G having therein an aperture T, said post being arranged to enter the aperture S of a suitable lock and there to be engaged by the locking bolt 9.

Inside the casing I locate a suitable chronometer movement indicated generally at 12 (Figs. sland 5) having coaxial with the casing 1 a rotating spindle 13 terminating in a flat table 1l. Secured to this table in any suitable manner so as to rotate therewith is the record sheet 15. which is preferably of printed paper having the days of the week marked thereon in concentric circles and the hours from 1 to 12 marked thereon in radiating lines as shown in Fig. 2. One convenient mode of securing this sheet in place is to provide the table 1l with a central boss 16 having pivotedthereto a cam lever 17 and to insert beneath said cam lever a slotted plate 1S afterward turning the cam lever down thereon to the position shown in Fig. Q. `Between the plate 1S and the surface of the paper I insert a flat washer 19 formed with a radial finger 2O whose purpose will be hereafter described.

Secured to the interior wall of the casing 1 and projecting radially inwardly immediately in the rear of the paper sheet is an anvil having its forward face preferably provided with spaced depressions 26, and formed in the cover opposite these depressions is a row of apertures 27, one :tor each depression. The record is formed by inserting into one of the apertures 2T a key of the type shown in Fig. 9 so as to prick or dent the paper into the corresponding depression '26, the time of thisv prick being recorded by the rotation of the disk, and the particular aperture open at the time being governed by the means now to be described.

Journaled to the inner face ofv the cover is a flat circular metal disk 30 having therein a plurality of apertures 31a, 31h, 31C, Slfl, 31e, 3P, 8lrx=r arranged so that as said disk is rotated said apertures come one by one into alineinent with the various apertures 27. Preferably one portion of the periphery of the disk is formed with V shaped notches 32 adapted to be engaged by the J shaped spring 33 whereby the disk is held impositively in any position to which it is set. Another portion of the periphery of said disk is formed with ratchet teeth 34 adapted to be engaged by a pawl 35 carried at the end of the swinging lever 36 pivoted at 3T to an arm 38 also carried by the cover and projecting across the inner face of said disk. Upon the opposite side of the pivot 37 from the pawl 35 said arm is formed with a horizontally projecting linger 39 adapted to be engaged by the nger 29 upon the rotation of the spindle, thus displacing the arm 36 and advancing` the disk one step. A counterweight 40 may be employed for returning the arm to original position.

ln order to prevent the opening of the casing without leaving a record thereon l provide means whereby the turning of the lock shall punch the paper, and the simplest eX- pedient for this purpose which l have so far devised is that shown in Figs. 3, 5, 6 and 7. According to this 'construction the lock consists of a plate having journaled therein a rotatable stud 46 furnished with a radial arm 47, the end of which is bent circuini'erentially to form the locking bolt 9. Carried by the plate 45 is a slotted support 48 between the halves of which the record sheet passes as shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7. Said support is also formed with a second slot 50 perpendicular to the paper, and pivoted upon the face of the plate 45 at one side ot the stud 4G is a striker 51 having its free end turned as shown at and provided with a cutting edge adapted to be inserted into the slot 50 and to punch the paper at that point. Normally said edge is held in retracted position by suitable means such as a spring 53, while its forward movement can conveniently be produced by means of a ra` dial iinger 54 on the stud 46 engaging a flexible feather on the striker 51, whereby said striker will be rocked to the position shown in Fig. l after which the 'feather slips oli1 the linger and the striker is retracted allowing the free removal of therecord sheet. Upon turning the stud into locking position the finger 54 engages the feather 55 in reverse direction as will be obvious from an inspection ot Fig. 6 whereupon the feather merely yields without displacing the striker.

The lower end of the anvil 25 is provided with an indication of some nature such as hat shown at 58 to aid the setting of the dial. The inner face of the disk 30 is preferably covered by a bridge 59 spaced from the inside of the cover so as to permit the free rotation of the disk but serving to prevent deformation of the same as by catching of the key therein. Apertures 59 are formed in the bridge 59 in alinement with the apertures 27 in the cover. At one side of the bridge 59 the disk 30 is provided Tith a stop pin G0 adapted to engage the side thereot1 at a point one step beyond the rst aperture 31a; on the other side of said bridge the disk 30 is provided with a stop pin 6l adapted to engage said bridge when said disk'has been turned one step beyond the aperture 31g. rlhe exterior of the cover is preferably provided with a pivoted shield 62 which may be either swung aside to permit the insertion of the recording key or secured in place by the padlock 63.

lilith the construction herein described eX- perience has shown that if the linger 20 be located in alinement with the eleven oclock division of the dial, the disk 30 will be shifted one step each time that the six oclcck division-passes the point 58. This relation is utilized in setting the device in the following manner z-Supposing that a new record sheet is to be applied on Sunday afternoon at three oclock; the record sheet is placed with its three oclock division in register with the pointer 5S, and the washer 19 is located with its finger 2O in alinement with the eleven oclock division of the sheet. The disk 30 is turned until the pin GO engages the bridge 59, thereby leaving all of" the apertures 27 closed, after which the cover is shutand locked. At six p. m. on ASunday the movement of the finger 2O shifts: the disk 30 one step as heretofore explained, so that until 6 oclc-ck Monday morning the watchman can insert his key through the aperture 3l without obstruction, thus making a record all the way around the disk in ease his visits are rightly timed. t six oclock Monday morning the movement of the finger 20 advances said disk another step so tha all the openings are closed, which condition is retained until six p. m. Monday whereupon the movement of the disk opens the aperture 31h, permitting the second concentric record to be made while shielding the first record against mutilation or falsification. This continues until the end of the week when the sheet will be entirely finished.

f the Watchman or any other interested person should attempt to vvork the disk around by prodding it through the aperture 2T With a key or other Jcool, the most t iat they could do would beto advance the disk, theeby throvving the registration a day ahead and indicating clearly that the clock had been tampered With, but Without the possibility of mutilating the record already made. ln case the lock vvere manipulated to open the casing the record sheet Would be punchedL in the manner heretofore described, and the angular relation of the punch and point 5S will invariably afford a clue as to the time of opening.

l am avvare that important features of my improved clock can be employed vvithout employing all of the saine; also that many changes in point of arrangement and design can be made vvithout departing from the scope of my inventive idea or losing the benefits of in v invention. The expression reco 1d receiving means or record receiving element used in the claims is intended to cover anyr substance or surface capable of receiving a mark, cut, prick or stamp, vvhether of aap-er, cloth, metal, Wax or other substance, and Whether round, square` flat, convex, concave or Warped; the expression impressing is intended to cover the production of any intelligible mark, Whether by cutting, pricking, marking, stamping, with a tool, pencil or pin, by chemical or electrical means; the expression series of apertures is intended to cover either a series of spaced apertures or a series of apertures merging together so as to produce in effect an elongated slot; accordingly, l do not propose to limit myself to such details except as the same may be positively included in the claims hereto annexed or may be rendered necessary by the prior state of the art.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. ln a recording device, a shielding element, a record receiving element behind said shieldingelement, means operative from the front of said shielding element for impressing a record upon said receiving element, time controlledL means for moving' one of said elements relatively to the other element at a uniform sneed. and means cooperating with said shielding element for )regressively exposing to the operation of said ...--reeord impressing means a limited portion of said record receiving element.

2. in a recording device, a shielding element having an aperture therein, a record receiving element behind said shielding elenientl time controlled means for moving one ol :id elements relatively to the other element at a uniform speed, means cooperating with sain shielding element whereby said ne is alternately covered and uncovered, and means operative from the front of said shielding element for impressing a record upon said receiving element during that part of the time during `which said aperture is opened.

In a` recording device, shielding element, a record receiving element behind said shielding element, time controlled means'for moving one of said record receiving elements relatively to the shieldine` element at a uniform speed, means for moving said shielding element whereby the exposed portion of said recording element is shifted in a direction at right angles to its chronologie movement, and means operative from the front of `l shielding element for impressing a record upon said receiving e emezt during that part of the time during which said aperture is opened.

ai. in a recording device, a casing having an aperture in its face, a shielding element movably supported inside this casing and having an aperture therein adapted to register With said first aperture, a record receiving element behind said shielding element` means for moving said recording element past said tirst aperture at a uniform speed, means for moving' said. shielding element intermittently to bring said apertures into and out of alinement, and means adapted to traverse said apertures and impress a record upon said receiving surface during the ti me that said apertures are in alineinent.

5. in a recording device, a casing having a series of apertures in its face, a shielding element mov-ably supported inside this casing and having a series of apertures therein arranged at an angle to said first series of apertures and adapted to register, one b v one, a record receiving element behind said shielding element, means for moving said recording element past said first series of apertures at a uniform speed, means for moving' said shielding element relativelyv to said casing whereby ditlierent apertures of the. tivo may be brought into alinement, and means adapted to be insert-al through alined apertures to impress a record upon said receiving surface.

6. ln a recording device, a casing lian-'inga plurality of apertures in its front, a recording element vvithin said casing` means for moving said recording element past said apertures at a uniform speed, a shielding element between the apertured part of said casing and said receiving element, means controlled by the movement of said receiving element for alternately moving said shielding element into and out of obstructing position, and means adapted to be inserted through said apertures when said shielding element is out of obstructing position to iinpress a record upon saitL receiving chipie-nt.

in recording device, a casing having a pluralitv of apertures in its front, a

an apertured lll() its cording element within said casing, means for moving said recording element past said apertures at a unitorni speed, a shielding element between said apertures and said receiving element, means Jfor moving said shielding element whereby the apertured portion of said casing may alternately be covered and uncovered, said shielding element boing arranged so that upon each uncovering movement a dierent part of said receiving element is exposed, and means adapted to be inserted through said aperture during the time that said shielding element is out of obstructing position for impressing a mark upon said receiving element.

S. ln a. recording device, a casing having a series of apertures in its wall, a record receiving element within said casing, means moving said element constantly past said apertures in a direction at right angles to the length of said series, a shielding element between said receiving element and the apertured side of said casing, said shielding element having a series of apertures ranged in a direction oblique to the direction ot said first series, means for shifting 'said shielding device intermittently whereby di'liierent apertures or" the two series may successively be brought into alinement with cach other, and means adapted to be inserted through said apertures during the time that said shielding element is out of obstructing position for impressing a mark upon said receiving element.

9. In a recording device, a casing having a series ot apertures in its wall, a record receiving element within said casing, means moving said element constantly past said apertures in a direction at right angles to the length of said series, a shielding element between said receiving element and the apertured side of said casing, said shielding element having a series of apertures arranged in a direction oblique to the direction of said first series, means :tor shifting said shielding element intermittently in a direction parallel with the direction of movement of said receiving element whereby dierent apertures of the two series may be brought into alinement with each other, and means adapted to be inserted through said apertures during the time that said shielding element is out of obstructing position 'for impressing a mark upon said receiving element.

10. ln a. recording device, a casing having a series et apertures in its wall, a record receiving element within said casing, means moving said element constantly past said apertures in a direction at right angles to the length of said series, a shielding element between said receiving element and the apertured side of said casing, said shielding element having a series of apertures arranged in a direction oblique to the direction of said first series, means for moving said shielding device in step by step manner past said lirst series of apertures, the length of each step being one-halt of that necessary to move said shielding element from a point of alinement of one set of apertures to a point ot alinement of the next set of apertures, and means adapted to be inserted through said apertures during the time that said shielding element is out of obstructing position for impressing a mark upon said receiving element.

11. ln a. recording device, a casing having a series of apertures in its wall, a record receiving element within said casing, means moving said element constantly past said apertures in a direction at right angles to the lengt-h of said series, a shielding element between said receiving element and the apertured side of said casing, said shielding element having a series of apertures arranged in a direction oblique to the direction of said rst series, means operative by the movement of said receiving element for advancing said shielding element denite steps at predetermined intervals, the length et each step being such that upon alternate steps successive pairs ot apertures will be brought into alinement and upon intermediate steps all apertures will be brought out of alinement, and means adapted to be inserted through said apertures during the time that said shielding element is out of obstructing position for impressing a mark ipon said receiving element.

l2. In a recording device, a casing having a series of apertures in its wall, a circular record receiving element within said casing, means rotating said element constantly, said apertures being arranged in a directionsueh that the length of the series shall be radial to said element, a circular rotatable shielding element pivoted between said receiving element and the apertured side of said casing, said shielding element having a series of apertures arranged spirally of said iirst series, means for rotating said shielding device intermittently whereby dierent apertures or the two series may successively be brought into alinement with each other, and means adapted to be inserted through said apertures during the time that said shielding element is out or obstructing position for impressing a mark upon said receiving element.

13. In a. recording device, a casing having a series of apertures in its wall, a circular record receiving element within said casing, means rotating said element constantly, said apertures being arranged in a direction such that the length of the series shall be radial to said element, a circular rotatable shielding element pivoted between said receiving element and the aperture side of said casing, said shielding element having a series said receiving of apertures arranged spirallv oit said lirst series, and means for rotating said shielding element intermittentlv in the same direction as said receiving element, whereby different apertures ot the two series mayv be brought into alinement with each other, and means adapted to be inserted through said apertures during the time that said shielding element is out et obstructing position 'tor impressing' a mark upon said receiving element.

1i. In a recording' device, a casing having a series of apertures in its wall, a circular record receiving element within said casing, means rotating' said element constantly, said apertures being arranged in a direction such that the length et the series shall be radial to said element, a circular rotatable shielding element pivoted between said receiving element and the apertured side o'l" said casing, said shielding element having' a series oit' apertures arranged spirallv of said lirst series, means tor rotating said shielding device iu step by step manner past said first series ot apertures, the length of each step being one-halt of that necessary to move said shielding element from a point of alinement of one set of apertures to a point of alinement of the next set of apertures, and means adapted to be inserted through said apertures during the time that said shielding element is out ot obstructingposition for impressing a mark upon said receiving element.

15. In a recording device, a casing having a series ot apertures in its wall, a circular record receiving element within said casing, means rotating said element constantly, said apertures being arranged in a direction such that the length otl the series shall be radial to said element, a circular rotatable shielding element pivoted between said receiving element and the apertured side of said casing, said shielding element having a series of apertures arranged spirally of said first series, means operative bv the movement ot element tor rotating said shielding element definite steps at predetermined intervals, the length of each step being such that upon alternate steps successive pairs of apertures will be brought into alinement and upon intermediate steps all apertures will be brought out of alinement, and means adapted to be inserted through said apertures during the time that said shielding element is out ot obstructing position for impressing ay mark upon said receiving element.

16. In a recording device, a casing hav` ing an aperture in one of its walls, a record receiving element rotatably mounted in said casing, means moving said element uniformly past said opening, a shielding element pivoted inside said casing -between said element and said apertured wall, said shielding' element being pivoted substantiall7 concentric with said receiving clement and having a pluralitf,Y oi apertures arranged spirallv, and means for intermitl'entlv advancing' said shielding element whereby said spirall'v arranged apertures can be brought into ali ement with ditiercnt apertures of said first series.

1T. In a recording device, a casing having an aperture in one of its walls, a circular record receiving element rotatablyY mounted in said casing. ineans for rotating said ele` ment once in twelve hours at uniform speed, a shielding element pivoted inside said casing' between said element and said apertured wall, said shielding element being pivoted substantiallv concentric with aid receiving element and having' apertures therein, pawl and ratchet means tor advancing' said shielding element, and devices movable with said record receiving element for operating said pawl and ratchet means, the angular' distance between successive apertures in said shielding element being twice that ot said ratchet means.

18. In a recording device, a casing, a rotating' record receiving element within said casing, a rotatable shielding element pivoted inside said casing between said receiving element and the casing wall upon an axis substantiall)Y coincident with that ot said rotating element, said casing wall being formed with a radial series ot apertures and said shielding element with a spirallv arranged series of apertures arranged to register one at a time with said lirst apertures, means for rotating said irst element continuousl)7 and said second element intermittently, and means adapted to be inserted through registering apertures to impress a mark upon said receiving' element.

19. In a recording device, a casing having an aperture in one of its walls, a circular record receiving element rotatably mounted in said casing adjacent to said wall, means for rotating said element at a i'iXed speed, a linger rotatable with said element, an arm projecting into said casing adjacent to the face ot said element, a shielding element journaled inside said easing between said arm and the casing wall, a movable lever pivoted to said arm and adapted to be engaged bv said linger at predetermined intervals, means cooperating with said lever wherebv said shielding member mav be displaced upon the operation of said lever, said shielding member having one or more apertures therein adapted to be brought into register with said casing aperture upon eertain displacements, and means adapted to be inserted through said apertures and to impress a record on said receiving element.

20. In a recording device, a casing having an opening in one of its walls, an anvil inside said casing and spaced from said opening, a record sheet loca-ted in said casing oetween said opening,` and anvil, means 'for moving said sheet uniformly over said anifil, a. shielding element supported adjacent to said opening, means for moving said shielding element for alternately covering and uncovering said opening, and an adj ust-able operating device moving with said record and adapted to engage said opeiating means and shift said shielding inenibex.' all. predetei'- l@ lnined times.

ln testimony whereof, hereunto aix iny signature 1n the presence of two Witnesses.

HUGH B. MCGILL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

